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Book: A Certain October
Author: Angela Johnson
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

When she's in a horrible accident that kills a friend and severely injures her seven-year-old brother, Scotty feels responsible - for Kris's death, for Keone's injuries. It's all her fault, but there's no way she can make up for it. In the face of her helplessness, Scotty starts to do things to help other peoples' lives, and that might be just enough to get her through this October alive.

It's always hard for me to characterize an Angela Johnson book. They don't seem to have beginnings or ends, you feel like you're dropped in the middle of someone's life and then get plucked out again. I feel more as if I should like them than I actually do. But the jumbled tangle of emotion and uncertainty is awfully close to living inside Scotty's head. It's a quick and often confusing read. I'd give it only to people who are fans of Johnson's other work.

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Book: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children
Author: Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

In the studio, Gabe runs his community radio show, "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children." He plays eclectic mixes and chats over the airwaves to night owls just like him. In the studio is the only place Gabe can truly be himself. Because to the outside world, Gabe is Liz, and Liz is female.

But Gabe has always known he's male, even if it's a scary thing to declare that to the world. As his radio show gains a cult following and he starts to dream of bigger and better (a career in radio, a life as himself, even--gulp!--a girlfriend), he needs the courage to stand tall against a world that doesn't know quite what to make of him.

One of the things I liked best about this book was the slowness of the process. Gabe comes out to his parents, to close friends, and then painfully, to the world, in baby steps like asking a radio station to change the name on his entry form from Liz to Gabe, and telling his new boss that though his W-2 says one name, it's really another. Each outing is its own different brand of scary.

There's a realistic variety of reactions to Gabe's secret. Some people are immediately accepting, like John, his musical mentor who's seen many, many things in a long career in radio and music. Paige, his best friend and sort-of crush, is also completely supportive, if sometimes a little clueless. On the other end of the spectrum are his parents and his brother, who are baffled and horrified. There's also Mara, a girl who's initially into Gabe until she realizes he's transgender, and then reacts with horror and vindictiveness, and of course, the almost-obligatory vicious transphobes, who harass Gabe through Facebook and eventually attack him and his friends.


There's not a lot of transgender books out there. I'm glad to add this one to the stack.

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Author: Isobel Harrop
Publisher: Switch Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-63079-003-5
Pages: 208
Price: $16.95

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Isobel Harrop has provided an intimate glimpse into teen thoughts in The Isobel Journal. Using a scrapbook filled with words and drawings, the 18 year-old artist comments on friends, family, dreams, school, fashion, cute animals, growing up, and first love.

Isobel’s thoughts run from topic to topic in a free-flowing manner, loosely grouped into categories. Ramblings are sometimes humorous – “Underwear shopping at the supermarket with Dad = embarrassment,” occasionally thoughtful – “I think I put you on too much of a pedestal,” and always very much herself – “I just can’t get over how much I love otters.” Accompanying illustrations dramatize her commentary.

Teens (and those who still remember their teen years) will enjoy reading Isobel’s journal as they ruminate on their own feelings about life and impending adulthood. Quirky and fun, The Isobel Journal is a great read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Book: The Lost Girl
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

Eva has always known that her life doesn't belong to her. She is an echo. Like the backup of a hard drive, her sole purpose is to absorb all the details of another girl's life, so that if that first girl dies, she's on hand to step in.

But Eva wants her own life, not Amarra's. She wants to create art, she wants adventures that haven't already happened to somebody else, she wants to love the boy she picks and not the one Amarra loves.

Then Amarra dies, and Eva must travel from England to India to take her place. The only people who know she isn't the original Amarra are her new family members, and since echoes are illegal in India, she has to be extra-careful to pass with Amarra's friends and boyfriend.

She's always known that she's not Amarra, but now those differences could mean the end of her.

I feel as if this book could have used another pass through the editing process. The beginning is slow and my interest didn't really kick in until  Eva got to Bangalore. The world building is also somewhat rickety. Everything seems contemporary, but the echo creation process has been (so we are told) in place for 200 years.  Echos are well-known enough to be legislated, but there's only three people in  the world who can create them, Also, Eva spends a lot of time being irritatingly passive, accepting her fate until someone drags her into action. This fits with her life experiences (she's always been told what to do and how to do it), but it doesn't fit with the way other people talk about her as someone bold and daring.  I wish we could have seen more echoes, or at least heard of them, to get a better picture of how echoes actually do fit into the world.

What I did like? Eva's tense, wobbly relationship with Amarra, like a younger sister always in her older sister's shadow, with the older sister resenting that she exists at all. The portrait of the parents' grief, both assuaged and heightened by Eva's presence. There was also the boyfriend's grief, which is a complicated beast, all tangled up with sadness and guilt and interest in Eva. The setting is also a view of India we don't often get, a well-to-do middle-upper-class world with light touches of non-Western detail.

If there's another book about echoes, I'm interested in the premise, but I would want a stronger execution.

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Book: While We Run
Author: Karen Healey
Published: 2014
Source: ARC from a friend

In 2127, Tegan Oglietti is a symbol of hope for the world. The first girl ever to wake from cryonic suspension, she tours internationally, along with her boyfriend, Djiboutian music sensation Abdi Taalib. They're fundraising for the Ark Project, a spaceship that will take cryonically frozen humanity to the stars.


Except that it's all a lie.

Captured by the government shortly after the events of When We Wake, Tegan and Abdi are held prisoner, subject to brutal physical and psychological torture if they don't do and say exactly what they're told. The Ark Project is a lie. It's stocked with the rich of the world, but it's also stocked with the poorest of refugees, and it's not hard to figure out what the power structure will be on the new planet. That's if anybody besides Tegan can ever be revived successfully in the first place.

When help comes from an unexpected and possibly untrustworthy source, Abdi, Tegan, and the rest of their friends have to go on the run while trying to figure out how to tell the world what they know, without bringing about the end of it.

Healey tells this story from Abdi's point of view, which was the right choice for this twisty, turny, suspenseful story. Abdi is a political thinker. He manipulates people almost automatically, and sometimes it's a struggle for him to be totally honest even with the people he cares most about. This is all tangled up with his own PTSD from captivity (his captor was an especially sociopathic one) and his perspective as a "thirdie" or third-world, outsider in the "firstie" world of Australia. This last forces the reader to think uncomfortably about our own world and how we view the others in it. He's especially conflicted about Tegan. He loves her, but sometimes he hates her too, from their experiences in captivity. It takes a long time for them to start working together again.

I have to mention the diversity in this book, too. Healey just does that right. It's plentifully stocked with characters from many races, backgrounds, and faiths (there's a running thread about Abdi's atheism contrasted with his family's Muslim religion), as well as two lesbian characters, one of whom is also transgender. And they're just that - characters. They don't exist to be diverse, they exist because that's the way our world looks and they are people with flaws and gifts as well as labels.

I feel as if I should have re-read When We Wake, because I know I didn't catch all the subtleties, but as it is, I was held captive by Abdi and Tegan's story. They're trying to do the right thing, but everyone seems to have a different perspective on what the right thing is. It's not black and white in any sense of the word, but dappled in shades of grey, and that's the most interesting pattern if you ask me.

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Authors: Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon
Publisher: Blink Books
Genre: Young Adult/ Romance
ISBN: 978-0-310-74230-2
Pages: 400
Price: $17.99

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When Veronica begins seeing visions of a kilt-wearing teen boy, she wonders if she’s imagining him. But when he follows her to Scotland, she’s sure there must be something more to his appearances. After being transported to the magical kingdom of Doon, she finally comes face to face with him – as the formidable Prince Jamie. But after practically begging Veronica to come to him, he now rejects her, declaring that she and her best friend, McKenna, are in cahoots with the witch.

Thanks to the intervention of Jamie’s brother, Duncan, who is sweet on McKenna, the girls avoid a long stay in the dungeon, and begin to explore this new world. They have only a short time before they will be able to go back home, and they try to make the most of it. But will they both find true love before they’re forced to leave?

Doon is inspired by Brigadoon, and is more romance than fantasy. Although this story takes place in a magical world, it feels more down-to-earth as the girls discover modern plumbing and pizzas. Although Veronica and Jamie have a turbulent relationship, one hopes they can sort through their differences and work things out. But the reader may very well end up swooning over Duncan’s sweet and tender ways with McKenna. This is an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to the sequel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Book: The Fire Horse Girl
Author: Kay Honeyman
Published: 2013
Source: Local Library

Jade Moon is the unluckiest zodiac combination for a Chinese girl: a Fire Horse. Stubborn, argumentative, hot-tempered, a Fire Horse girl is a curse on her family because she can never conform to the ideals of Chinese womanhood. And nobody in Jade Moon's household or village will ever let her forget it.

When a handsome young man named Sterling Promise offers her and her father the chance to go to America, Jade Moon thinks it's a new chance at a life she never could have lived in China. But a long sea voyage ends in detainment at Angel Island. The promise of freedom seems further away than ever. To get to America, to find a place that will allow her to truly be herself, Jade Moon is going to have to embrace all the things that make her a Fire Horse girl.

So, we've all heard about Ellis Island, which was often no picnic for the European immigrants who funneled through there. Angel Island was a lot worse - Jade Moon is held for long, dull, dehumanizing weeks before she finds her way to San Francisco. The picture of Chinatown, too, isn't pretty. Jade Moon finds herself in the midst of the tong underworld, working as a bullyboy (literally; she disguises herself as a boy) for a Chinese crime boss.

While I liked the different immigration story, and (oh, let's be honest) the love story, what I loved best about this book was Jade Moon herself. She's definitely a Fire Horse girl, and often immature and impulsive along with all her other flaws. It's only when she learns to channel her fiery nature that she's able to control it, and find places and people who will not only accept her, but value her too.

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Author: Charles Portis
Publisher: Overlook Juvenile
Genre: Teen / Western
ISBN: 978-1-4683-0125-0
Pages: 240
Price: $7.99

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True Grit was first published in serial format in The Saturday Evening Post in 1968. The following year it was released as a film starring John Wayne. This Young Readers Edition presents the adapted story along with reader’s guide discussion questions and commentary specifically written for teens.

Mattie Ross is a strong-willed fourteen year-old girl, intent on avenging her father’s murder. After hiring US Marshal Rooster Cogburn to assist her, and finding that Texas Ranger LaBoeuf will be joining them, she heads out into the wilderness to hunt down and convict Tom Chaney.

The idea that a fourteen year-old girl would join these men on such a dangerous mission is preposterous, but Mattie’s pluck and determination, as well as her obvious intelligence, make this story believable. This classic western novel would be a great read for all teens.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Eddie Jones
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Teen / Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-310-72344-8
Pages: 224
Price: $7.99

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The last thing Nick Caden wants to do on his summer vacation is spend a week at a ghost town tourist spot. Actors portraying famous old western heroes and outlaws mingle with the guests, and gunfights break out when no one expects them. But Billy the Kid has been shot, and Nick knows this time it was for real. Only trouble is, the body has disappeared, and no one will believe him.

Using his skills as a member of Cybersleuths, Nick attempts to discover what happened to Billy’s body, and who might have wanted him dead. But it’s hard to conduct a thorough investigation when no one is taking him seriously. Or is it just that someone has something to hide?

Dead Man’s Hand is an enjoyable and clever murder mystery geared toward boys. Nick is your average teenager, more interested in his cell phone and computer than spending time with his family. But he’s smart and determined to solve this case, no matter what anyone else thinks. After all, maybe a man was really murdered.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Review by Elisa @AverageAdvocate and Katie @ The Book Sphere  The Shadow Prince Into the Dark #1 by Bree Despain Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7 and up Series: Into the Dark Hardcover: 496 pages Publisher: EgmontUSA (March 11, 2014) Amazon | Goodreads Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the

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Author: James Klise
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-61620-195-1
Pages: 272
Price: $16.95

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Saba Khan is playing an important tennis match while her family’s apartment burns. Although everyone is safe, they have lost all their possessions, so they are appreciative of the school’s efforts to help them get back on their feet. Then an unusual and potentially valuable piece of artwork is donated to the Khan family auction, and people begin to question who is entitled to the money when it is sold.

The Art of Secrets is told through a series of journal entries, interviews, articles, monologues, and official documents. Teachers, students, and those in the community all have their own motivations and thoughts about the art itself, the Khan family, and whether or not they deserve such a windfall.

As the plot takes unusual and surprising turns, the tangled situation grows more complicated. Finger-pointing and betrayal become the new normal. Fans of mystery, intrigue and psychology will really enjoy this well-written and thought-provoking novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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We are giving away three paperback copies of  Flutura (The Alpha Girls Series, book one) from now until April 18th. Book one of The Alpha Girls series introduces you to Alexis, Brittany and Caitlin who have grown up together since birth. Caitlin is ready to become a woman, but she’s fourteen and has yet to experience her first French kiss or her first period. The summer before high school will change all of that.

Caitlin is taken by surprise when Joshua reveals his feelings for her. As Caitlin sorts out her own feelings toward Josh the memory of the kiss she shared with Trick on the beach continues to invade her thoughts.

Good thing she’ll never see Trick again or things could get complicated.

You can also find Larva (The Alpha Girls Series, book two) available now on Amazon kindle and paperback.

 

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Author: Gae Polisner
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61620-256-9
Pages: 320
Price: $16.95

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Francesca “Frankie” Schnell has been living in guilt for the last four years, since her brother, Simon, drowned. After all, her parents had asked her to watch him, and it was all her fault. Her family life has gone from bad to worse, and she wonders if they will ever let go of the past.

Now her mother is withdrawn, consumed with the anti-drowning foundation she’s created, and her father is spending too much time with the woman next door. And to make matters even more miserable, her best friend is dating her dream guy. How will she ever get through the summer?

A chance encounter with the Schyler family introduces her to Frankie Sky, a little boy whose uncanny resemblance to Simon seems like no coincidence. Can Frankie Sky help her heal her past and finally let go?

Frankie is a very courageous and strong girl, determined to move through her painful past and find peace. No longer content with the status quo, she does what she needs to do to finally heal. The reader will really relate to Frankie’s feelings and cheer for her to find happiness. I highly recommend The Summer of Letting Go.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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The Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Siebert and other awards for the best books of children’s/teen literature were announced recently. And every year the question of gender bias is raised. Overwhelmingly, the industry is dominated by female authors/illustrators, yet the awards go to male authors/illustrators.

This year the Caldecott went to 75% male illustrators, with the winner a male.
The Siebert is 20% male, with the winner a female.
The Newbery is 40% male, with the winner a female.
The Siebert is 20% male, with the winner a male.

Except for the Caldecott, it seems the awards are spread out.

Considering the possibility of gender bias–which is generally skewed toward male authors/illustrators, it’s interesting to read this article by Lilit Marcus, who spent 2013 only reading female authors. She was accused of being sexist, reverse sexist, and misandrist. “One Flavorwire commenter dismissed the significance of focusing on female authors and announced that he would only be reading books by authors who were tall.”

And yet, many readers are now contacting Lilit and asking for recommendations for women authors.

I wonder what it would look like to only read women’s fiction and nonfiction for a year. What picture books would emerge as winners? What middle grade novels would you champion? What YA novels would rise to the top? What if you spent the next year only reading men’s fiction and nonfiction? What would you learn from each year’s experiences?

Do you feel that the world of children and teen publishing carries gender biases? Where do you see it most?

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Author: Jonathan Friesen
Publisher: Blink
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-310-73182-5
Pages: 304
Price: $15.99

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The year is 2250 and fresh water is scarce. Those above ground rely on a subterranean species of Water Rats to provide fresh water, when the annual contract is renewed by the Deliverer. Luca, now sixteen years old, is heir to the Deliverer’s position, and when his father suddenly goes missing, must step in to try to make things right again.

But not all is as it seems, and when Luca descends below, he finds out there is much more to the story of the annual exchange than he ever bargained for. His world turns upside down, and the position he is in turns sinister. Can Luca fix things before it’s too late?

Aquifer introduces some really great characters. Although only sixteen, Luca is mature beyond his years, with an admirable sense of responsibility. Various supporting characters are also strong and well-developed. There is a tiny hint of a Christian message in this story, with Wishers who gather to pray, and a Voice that speaks to Luca. A slow start builds to a crescendo, capturing the reader in a race to the conclusion. But there is also quite a bit of violence and darkness to this story, which ends in a disappointing way that leaves too much to the imagination.

Warning: Rated mature for violence

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Diana L. Sharples
Publisher: Blink
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-310-73497-0
Pages: 400
Price: $12.99

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Calvin lost his soldier brother, and Stacey has been his source of support in his grief. But Stacey is fighting demons of her own that Calvin is only beginning to see. Her constant dieting has gone to an extreme, and now Calvin is worried for her health. His research has led him to believe she is suffering from anorexia.

As Calvin tries to reach Stacey and offer to find her some assistance, Stacey pulls away, determined to stay in control, no matter what the cost. Calvin doesn’t want to lose her, too, but nothing he says or does makes any difference. Should he continue to stick by her, or should he walk away and let her kill herself?

Stacey is a sweet girl who is scared to truly be herself, convinced that her self-worth is based on how skinny she is. Calvin is a model boyfriend, caring and compassionate in his quest to help Stacey. Both have faith in God that is wavering a bit in the midst of their turmoil.

Anorexia and bulimia are serious illnesses that claim many lives each year. In an effort to lose weight, girls starve themselves to the point they are literally skin and bones. Running Lean highlights these eating disorders as Stacey and Calvin struggle with the effects. Intervention is essential, and Stacey’s life can only change for the better if she gets help. This sweet romance is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read for teens.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Hollis Seamon
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61620-260-6
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Richard Casey, seventeen years old, is in the hospice unit of the hospital. But even though they’ve told him he’s got less than a month left, he’s not done living yet. In fact, he’s more than ready to make love to the fifteen year-old girl, also in the ward, who doesn’t want to die a virgin. Richard is determined to be the biggest troublemaker the hospital staff have ever seen.

But Richard is under constant watch by the hospital staff, parents and other family members who hover around the ward 24-7, and the “Br’ers” as he calls them – religious staff there to assist in the transition from life to death. All Richard wants to do is have some fun, but no one wants to let him.

A book about dying teenagers would probably only appeal to the more morbid of us. But Hollis Seamon has done a magnificent job of portraying these teens in such a real light. They’re just teens – not adults – and they’re not willing to give up their spunk and personality, no matter what. Even though there is no doubt from the beginning how the story will ultimately end, this is not a depressing tale. My only disappointment is that no one in the story expresses any concern about the afterlife, and how to make sure one ends up in the right place. Overall, this is a great teen read.

Warnings: sexual situations and language

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Amy Herrick
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-61620-220-0
Pages: 320
Price: $16.95

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Mistaking the Time Fetch as an ordinary rock, Edward picks it up to bring to science class and wakes it from its slumber. Its purpose is to send out foragers to gather those moments that won’t be missed, to be redistributed to others in the Great Web. But now that the Fetch has been roused prematurely, it creates chaos in the foragers’ indiscriminate theft of time.

Only four classmates have touched the Fetch, and now they have knowledge and understanding of what’s going on around them that no one else seems to have. Danton, Edward, Brigit and Feenix have to work together to save the universe from the out-of-control foragers. But first they will need to outwit some witches, the Unraveler, and beasts intent on stopping them.

The Time Fetch is one of the most enjoyable young adult books I’ve read. The story is fast-paced and absorbing, and I had a hard time putting this book down. The magic and fantasy, as well as the unlikely partnership of these four very different classmates, is on par with the Harry Potter series. It was great watching them make the decision to work together, putting aside their differences, and becoming friends in the process. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Sara Farizan
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61620-251-4
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Best friends, Sahar and Nasrin, have been in love since they were six. In Iran they are forbidden to marry, and in fact, could face death for being together. Nasrin has accepted her fate, and arranges a marriage to a man her family approves of. But Sahar insists there must be some way they they can be together.

Surgery to change one’s gender is not only legal in Iran, but also encouraged and paid for by the government. Sahar begins to explore this possibility, hoping for the chance to marry Nasrin. Is such an extreme measure something she can live with, and would Nasrin have her if she did?

Before I offer my commentary on this book, I have to make a disclaimer – I am a devout Catholic and do not believe in same-sex marriage. But as Pope Francis recently proclaimed, we are not here to judge, but instead to offer understanding. In If You Could Be Mine, the reader can certainly feel Sahar’s pain in knowing she can’t be with Nasrin. One can’t help but wish for her happiness, as she is clearly a loving and caring girl who hopes to have a relationship with her soulmate. This well-written and interesting story offers another perspective in a unique foreign setting.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Publisher: Running Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-0-7624-4680-3
Pages: 272
Price: $9.95

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Frenchie Garcia is having a rough time. Although she tries to be upbeat while hanging out with her friends, her mood is morbid and she’s easily ruffled. Her dark secret won’t let her go. Frenchie was the last person to see Andy Cooper alive, before he committed suicide, and now she wonders why he chose to spent his last night with her.

Frenchie had a crush on Andy, and when he suggested a grand adventure, she happily went along for the ride. Now, months have passed, and she wonders what really happened that night. When Colin suddenly appears in her life and offers his friendship and maybe more, Frenchie decides the best way to find out what Andy was doing is to relive the whole night with Colin.

Colin is a wonderful support for Frenchie, going along with her scheme with no complaints. As she revisits the places Andy took her that night, she is able to finally find peace with her inability to see what he was planning and stop him from committing suicide.

Frenchie is a compassionate and caring girl who feels Andy’s loss deeply. As she works through her own grieving process, she comes to understand Andy and herself better, finally freeing herself from the unconscious burdens she placed on herself as his protector. And once she frees herself from the past, she’s finally able to move forward into her own future. I really enjoyed Death, Dickenson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia, and I highly recommend it for teenagers and young adults.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Elaine Wolf
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61608-657-2
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Amy Becker is living in a dysfunctional household with a dominant mother, a father who won’t stand up to her, and a disabled brother. She is overly protective of her brother, Charlie, and has no desire to go to camp for the summer. Who would take care of Charlie while she’s gone? But her worst fears can’t begin to live up to what she faces once she gets there.

A bully named Rory has decided to punish Amy, and some of the other girls go along with her, including Amy’s own cousin Robin. Robin’s father, Uncle Ed, owns the camp, and Amy has to watch her actions, or Robin could cause trouble for her at home. Luckily, one of the other girls, Erin, has decided to be befriend Amy, and the two spend time together away from Rory. But soon Robin starts hinting about Amy’s mother’s past, and Amy starts remembering things from her childhood.

This story takes place first at camp, but then spans several years after the summer is over. In the latter portion, Amy’s mother finally opens up to Amy about her difficult past in Germany, and Amy comes to forgive her.

Camp is a fast-paced novel that hooks the reader from the beginning, but loses its momentum once camp ends. Although most of the secrets are then revealed, the ending felt somewhat anti-climactic, and some of her mother’s actions are never explained.

WARNING: There are graphic sexual references in this book that may be inappropriate for younger readers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Annie F. Downs
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Teen / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72434-6
Pages: 224
Price: $9.99

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Do you love your body? Do you use it to express your love for God? If you answered no to either or both of these questions, you’re not alone. As a teen girl, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your body. While you may love some parts, others make you inwardly cringe.

Annie F. Downs knows what you’re feeling, and in Perfectly Unique, she provides lots of reasons to love all of you. From your mind to your mouth, your shoulders to your feet, she covers the whole body. For each body part, she shares a story from her own past and then shares how God sees that part, providing Bible verses that focus on it. She also works to dismiss the lies you may believe that you’re not good enough exactly as you are.

The Bible reminds us to love others as we love ourselves. Learning how to use our bodies to the glory of God helps us love ourselves, so we can then learn to love others more. We were created in God’s image – perfectly unique. Now it’s time to start believing it!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: David Shapiro
Illustrators: Christopher Herndon & Erica Melville
Publisher: Craigmore Creations
Genre: History / Graphic novel / Teen
ISBN: 978-0-9844422-6-3
Pages: 272
Price: $17.99

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Jenna, Caleb and Ari have found a new map which will let them time travel 550 million years into the past. In this sequel to Ice Age Cataclysm!, they travel back in time, anticipating a great adventure, but this time they’re not alone.

Their new map was created a century before, and those involved in its creation are traveling through time to find it. These men carry guns and will do anything to get it back. The kids now not only need to watch for angry beasts, but also dangerous humans.

The prehistoric past is a fascinating time for budding paleontologists, and Terra Tempo: The Four Corners of Time touches on some of the interesting eras in earth’s history. Told as an adventure graphic novel, rather than a history lesson, it will inspire kids to learn more about these time periods. And they can look forward to more from Jenna, Caleb and Ari, as the conclusion promises even more adventures ahead.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Bekah Hamrick Martin
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Christian / Teen / Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-310-73402-4
Pages: 192
Price: $9.99

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If you haven’t started dating yet, this is a great time to make the decision to stay pure until marriage. But even if you have been dating, and you’ve haven’t made this choice, there is still time to think about what you’re doing and change. Reading The Bare Naked Truth is a wake-up call to remind you of all you stand to lose by giving up your body, even if you don’t go all the way.

Peppered with true stories of girls who did – and didn’t – remain pure, this is a true-life book on the facts of life. Not only do girls risk STDs, pregnancy, and the loss of their reputations, they also may jeopardize a great relationship and the trust of their future husband. Purity isn’t just defined by the actual act – it also covers doing “everything else” up to, but not actually having sex. And this can be just as damaging.

Bekah doesn’t preach. She gives us all the reasons why she decided to remain pure, even including not kissing anyone until she was engaged to her husband. And she encourages us to make the same choices. But she also reminds us that it’s never too late to decide to remain pure from now until marriage, even if we’ve not made that choice in the past. I highly recommend The Bare Naked Truth for all girls entering their teen and dating years.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Susan Nussbaum
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Genre:  Adult / Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-61620-263-7
Pages: 336
Price: $23.95

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Yessenia Lopez has been through Juvie and now finds herself at ILLC – Illinois Learning and Life Skills Center. Disabled, orphaned and wheelchair-bound, she is full of anger and hostility. Soon she meets other disabled youth – Cheri, who becomes her friend, and Teddy and Mia – a troubled couple. Joanne – also disabled and the secretary at ILLC, and Jimmie – one of the house parents, also become friends.

But this isn’t just Yessenia’s story. Good Kings Bad Kings is told from all of these perspectives and more, as the corruption at ILLC is revealed. As they get to know each other and learn of the horrors perpetrated at the institute, they recognize that change is needed, and become determined to force it.

Good Kings Bad Kings is a powerful commentary on how society views the disabled, and does little or nothing to care for them. Through these characters’ eyes, their story is told with brutal honesty. For the YA reader, caution may be needed due to language and sexual situations. This is not your casual beach read. Instead, you may find a lingering disturbed feeling and an urge to check up on your institutionalized friends and relatives. 2012 winner of the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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